James Williams was the son of Mr & Mrs Frank Williams of 4 Lily Cottages Swanley, Kent, and brother to Mr W Williams who was assistant steward of Swanley Junction Working Men’s Club and Institute. His father had served 21 years in the British Army, for some years with the Grenadier Guards and served through the Egyptian campaign in 1882. As an Army Reservist he went to Canada between 1910-11. He married Miss Emma Brittain (formally Williams), of Swanley in 1912 in Canada, where they moved to Ontario. James had…
Category: WW1
Private Frederick Norman Ayles
Private Frederick Ayles was an old boy of Aylesbury Road School. His mother (a widow) lived on Simpson Road, Bromley. He had joined the army in 1902 and later served with the South Lancashire Regiment. He went to France on 7th October 1914, and consequently must have seen some of the severest fighting. He was killed in action on the 13th November 1914. His brother Ernest Walter Ayles joined the Army Service Corps in October 1914 (two month prior to the report of Frederick’s death) and was in training at…
Gunner W H King
Son of William Henry and Eliza King, of 17 New England Road, Brighton, King was a Bromley postman and Captain of the Bromley Postal Football Club (which was a successful team) when he signed up to the war. He was serving with the Royal Horse Artillery when he was wounded at the battle of Mons. He died of his wounds on the 12th September 1914 Source:Bromley & District Times, 27th November 1914 (page 7)www.cwgc.org
Private T Smith, 1914
This is Private T. Smith who served in the First World War. I want to link him to the correct reference in my Military Ancestors database. Can you tell from this photo which regiment he belonged to? The list of possibilities is: Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment Royal West Kent Regiment J Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, 4th Cavalry Division Royal Engineers
Private John Ludlow
Private John Ludlow was one of three brothers serving in the First World War. He was a member of the Army Service Corps and stationed in Ireland. Information sourced from the Bromley & District Times 1914-1920 Researched using the FREE database at www.militaryancestors.co.uk
Lieutenent L M Powell
Second Lieutenant L.M. Powell, of Chislehurst was killed in action on 17th June 1915. He is listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database as being part of the 3rd Battalion. attd. 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Please do contact me if you have any further information about this soldier. Source: St Mary Cray, Orpington District Times, 7th January 1916. Found using the FREE search at www.militaryancestors.co.uk and the www.cwgc.org
Frederic H Green, driver
Frederic H Green was born March 1891 at Northampton and had lived in Bromley for about 17yrs. The son of Mr H E Green, Frederic attended Wharton Road and Bromley Parish Schools. He married in Annie M Blagden in May 1914. Keen on becoming a soldier, Frederic joined as soon as possible; joining the Royal West Kent Regiment (Territorials), but soon enlisted in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (Special Reserve). After training he then transferred to the Royal Field Artillery. He was one of the first to be called up.…
Phosferine Advert
Another example of the type of advert used by Phosferine to advert their product, whereby they use the recommendation of a ‘real’ soldier to sell the product. This advert appeared in the Bromley & District Times on the 9th August, 1918 (page 8) Private A.M. McDonnell, M.M. (late) Royal Army Medical Corps, British Expeditionary Force “I went through the Battle of Loos and was slightly gassed and later (as stretcher bearer) was at the Battle of Martinpuich, and was awarded the Military Medal for bringing in many of our wounded, as…
Amos David John Friend
Amos D J Friend a member of the Royal Field Artillery. Son of Mr Alfred Friend and brother to Horace A T Friend Mentioned in the Bromley & District Times on the 2nd October, 1914. He is noted as being added to the Cudham Roll of Honour in 1916
Horace A T Friend
Horace Alfred Thomas Friend was the son of Mr Alfred Friend and brother to Amos D J Friend. He was with the Mounted Police in London before serving with the colours during WW1.Horace A T Friend He is commemorated on the Cudham Roll of Honour. Source: Bromley & District Times (search via www.militaryancestors.co.uk)